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Statistics & Studies: Homeless Veterans Survey - Nov. 9 2006
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Statistics & Studies: Homeless Veterans Survey - Nov. 9 2006 |
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HOMELESS, LONELY AND HURTING FIND THANKSGIVING FAMILY Half Million Meals, Family Atmosphere for Needy at America’s Rescue Missions Across the country, homeless, hungry and hurting people are concerned with surviving for one more day. They are not preparing for Thanksgiving. But America’s Rescue Missions are getting ready to spread a huge banquet table – coast to coast – with holiday meals for anyone in need. The eighth annual Great Thanksgiving Banquet will provide a half-million traditional turkey dinners with all the trimmings to the country’s most vulnerable citizens. “Many times, homeless people have lost contact with family and friends,” said Rev. Steve Burger, executive director of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, organizers of the event. “The staff and volunteers at the Rescue Missions willingly step in to provide the family elements – love, concern, conversation – that people on the streets are lacking. It’s true every day of the year, but especially on holidays, like Thanksgiving.” The honorary chair of this year’s Great Thanksgiving Banquet is Mike Yankoski, author of Under the Overpass. In the book, Mike recounts his five months living on the streets, away from his comfortable, middle-class upbringing. “I’m impressed with Mike,” Burger said, “because he didn’t just take up a bed in a shelter for a week, as so many others who want to write about their ‘homeless experience’ do. Mike chose the hard way; he actually lived on the streets, slept in doorways, and scrounged through dumpsters for food. And he did it because God called him to experience the physical and emotional pain that is associated with homelessness.” With Yankoski’s encouragement, AGRM member ministries are making an extra effort to personally interact with the homeless and poor; at the mission and on the streets. Yankoski says, "I know what it is like to be ignored and despised – to have people act as though you don't even exist just because you are homeless. Two minutes of honest, willing dialog can change the whole day for someone on the streets." At this year’s event, along with the meal, missions will encourage staff and volunteers to engage in conversation, share family memories and offer prayers for those in attendance. “People are hungry for connection,” Burger said. “The human soul was made to connect with God and other people. At the mission, we seek to feed the physical and the spiritual hunger of everyone God sends to us.” Burger said one of the major issues homeless people face is loneliness. He compared it to a recently widowed spouse longing to share their feelings with a deceased mate. “Starting a personal dialogue can be the beginning of a whole new life for someone on the streets. The holiday setting is a great time to make that initial bond and move people toward reconnection with themselves, the community and with God,” Burger said. Some Rescue Missions will include linen tablecloths, crystal glasses, celebrity servers, or community venues as added treats for guests coming to the feast. “It means a lot to a homeless person when a local news anchor or sports star serves them a meal,” said Burger. “We are grateful for the strong support of volunteers and celebrities in every community.” Burger said about 285 Rescue Missions in America will provide a special Thanksgiving meal during the event. Founded in 1913, the Kansas City-based Association of Gospel Rescue Missions represents 300 Rescue Missions in communities across North America that provide emergency food and shelter, youth and family services, rehabilitation programs for the addicted, and assistance to the elderly, poor and at-risk youth. Last year, AGRM missions served more than 37 million meals, provided 14 million nights of lodging, distributed more than 26 million pieces of clothing and graduated 16,000 homeless men and women into productive living. ### For
more information contact the AGRM website at
www.rescuemissions.org or call
1-800-4RESCUE. |